Effect of Addition of Dexmedetomidine During Ultrasound Guided Bilateral Single Shot Erector Spinae Plane Block in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Under General Anesthesia

Under aseptic technique and after skin infiltration with 3 ml of 2% lidocaine, a 22G, 50-mm, insulated facet type needle (visioplex® - vygon - France) was introduced in plane in a cephalad to caudad direction until (L3) transverse process was hit \[figure1(A)(B)(C)\] and the needle was slightly withdrawn. The confirmation of the correct position of the needle tip was done by injecting 0.5-1 ml of LA. Once confirmed, 20 ml of the drug was administered under vision after confirming negative aspiration of blood. LA distribution was observed in both cranial and caudal directions. This was repeated on the other side also. Twenty minutes later, sensory loss to cold was evident between (T10-T 12) and (L5-S1) vertebral level of the posterior dermatomes and dermatomes of the anterior roots of the spinal nerves (lumbar plexus, upper leg) on both sides without hemodynamic changes. Motor function of the legs was evaluated with a Bromage (0-3) score.